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Komodo Dancer - Komodo and Flores liveaboard scuba diving information.● Schedule ● Itinerary ● Excursions ● General info ● Specs ● Prices ● Inquiry ● Alor-Flores liveaboard ● Other boats● |
The Komodo Dancer is the Bali based ves  sel of the Peter Hughes Dancer Fleet, the world renowned liveaboard group is at the very forefront of liveaboard luxury and provides fully inclusive high quality dive trips to the Komodo national park, Alor and Maumere in Indonesia's spectacular Nusa Tenggaraarea. The Komodo Dancer is a traditionally crafted, two masted wooden motor sailor, stretching 30 metres long, 9 metres wide and accommodating 16 adventurous divers. Following the standards of the Dancer Fleet, the Komodo Dancer replicates Peter Hughes Diving service, amenities and the highest standards of safety in the industry. |
General information on the area● Schedule ● Itinerary ● Excursions ● General info ● Specs ● Prices ● Inquiry ● Alor-Flores liveaboard ● Other boats● |
Indonesia lies close to the equator between the continent of Australia and South East Asia. The nation comprises 17,000 islands, large and small, and a lot of sea - the locals call their country "air tanah kita" - our land of sea and water. The Komodo Dancer liveaboard cruises the Lesser Sunda islands in the middle of the archipelago and ar  ound 8 degrees south of the equator. The Nusa Tenggara (lit. Southeast Islands), or Lesser Sunda Islands, are a group of islands in the middle-south part of the Malay Archipelago. Together with the Greater Sunda Islands to the west they make up the Sunda Islands. The islands are part of a volcanic arc, the Sunda Arc, a chain of volcanic islands or mountains formed by plate tectonics creating the legend  ary 'Ring of fire' . The climate is generally warm and sunny but is affected by two different monsoons. The SE monsoon is present from April to November bringing dry clear and cooler weather whereas the SW monsoon occurs between November and March with hotter and wetter conditions. Many natural wonders can be encountered in this country of myths and legends worlds away from the USA and Europe. Our guests enter and leave Indonesia through Bali's Denpasar International Airport which has excellent connections to the major cities of Europe, Asia and Australia. Climate and monsoon
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Conduct● Schedule ● Itinerary ● Excursions ● General info ● Specs ● Prices ● Inquiry ● Alor-Flores liveaboard ● Other boats● |
 Bear a few things in mind concerning social behaviour in Indonesia. Most travellers
experience great warmth and hospitality, but with that come an open curiosity about
personal matters. You should not be surprised by total strangers asking details of your
job, income and family circumstances. Use your right hand for giving, taking, eating or
shaking hands as the left is considered to be unclean. Don't pat a child on the head. In fact, never touch anybody's head. Most Indonesians see the head as the seat of the soul and therefore sacred. Nudity (or sunbathing topless) is not permitted on beaches and although there are some places where this ban is ignored, it causes widespread offence. Displays of intimacy are not considered suitable in public and will probably draw unwanted attention. Women should cover shoulders and legs in Islamic areas. |
Visa● Schedule ● Itinerary ● Excursions ● General info ● Specs ● Prices ● Inquiry ● Alor-Flores liveaboard ● Other boats● |
Indonesia has a VOA (Visa On Arrival) policy that came into affect in August 2004. Visitors have to pay a fee of $25 to immigration officials at the airport; this entitles foreign nationals from 36 countries to a maximum 30 day stay in the country. Visa extensions are available, this however must be arranged in advance in your home country. The 36 countries eligable for a VOA are listed below: Argentina - Australia - Austria - Belgium - Brazil - Canada - China - Denmark - Egypt - Finland - France - Germany - Hungary - India - Ireland - Italy - Japan - Kuwait - Luxembourg - Maldives - New Zealand - Norway - Oman - Poland - Portugal - Qatar - Russia - Saudi Arabia - South Africa - South Korea - Spain - Switzerland - Taiwan Territory - UAE - United Kingdom – USA It is also worth remembering that a Rp.100,000 exit tax is payable on departure and that passports must be valid for at least 6 months on arrival. |
Komodo Dancer - Frequently asked questions● Schedule ● Itinerary ● Excursions ● General info ● Specs ● Prices ● Inquiry ● Alor-Flores liveaboard ● Other boats● |
WHERE IS THE KOMODO NATIONAL PARK IN INDONESIA? The Komodo National Park is part of the Republic of Indonesia and is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator between Java on the West and Lombok and the rest of the Lesser Sunda Islands (Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba and Timor) on the East. Flying time to your embarkation point in Bali from Jakarta is about 1.5 hours, from Singapore 2.5 hours, from Perth (Australia) 3 hours, from Hong Kong about 4.5 hours, and from Sydney / Melbourne about 5.5 to 6 hours. WHAT KIND OF DIVING IS FOUND IN THE KOMODO NATIONAL PARK? Komodo Dancer visits dive sites between Bali and The Komodo National Park, part of the Lesser Sunda Islands. Any time of the year this area of Indonesia offers good diving. Visibility may vary from season to season but 10 to 30 meters (35 to 100 ft.) can be expected at most dive sites. In 2009 and 2010 Komodo Dancer will offer 10 night cruises featuring an enhanced itinerary that allows guests more time diving, more time in the signature area of the Komodo National Park and an opportunity to explore the newly discovered area of the Sangeang Islands. To achieve this, each sailing of the Komodo Dancer will be a one way cruise that will either begin in Bali and end in Komodo National Park or will begin in Komodo National Park and return to Bali. Guests will fly one way to either return to Bali or reach the vessel to begin their voyage on a domestic air carrier. The description below is based on a Bali- Komodo itinerary. (The return direction will be just the opposite itinerary.) The first day of your cruise is used to set up gear and perform the cruise briefing. After lunch, most guests are up on decks enjoying the vistas found along the beautiful coast of Bali and Lombok on this full day of sailing (approx. 20 hours), The first stop is Satonda, just off of the northern coast of Sumbawa, for your check-out dive. A MANDATORY“check-out” dive will be required for EVERY diver on the first day of the charter, regardless of previous diving experience or certification. You'll enjoy maximum bottom time on virgin reefs that have experienced minimum human impact as you dive the islands east of Bali . There are sandy slopes with big coral heads on the southern part of the island and on the northwestern tip a fantastic wall. Currents are moderate. Water temperature is usually around 83°F (28°C). Our next stop is at Banta Island. We are now much closer to Komodo so you will be able to experience the diving conditions that characterize this region. A dive at GPS point will show what you are in for once you start diving in Komodo National Park. Shark sightings on this current blown pinnacle are common. The other Banta dive sites closer to the island are extremely rich in soft and hard coral with a wide variety of reef fish. The sites closer to Banta Island are a macro photographers dream. From here on in, it is excitement all the way as we move into the Komodo National Park. You will spend the central part of your dive experience here exploring the stunning dive sites inside the park. Incredible marine diversity, spectacular marine life and exciting dive and land adventures are your reward. Many of our guests are avid photographers who like nothing more than hunting out weird and wonderful critters on the reef, sand or silt. As part of the newly expanded Komodo Itinerary we have added two locations to the west of the Komodo National Park – Sangeang, an island volcano to the north of East Sumbawa and Bima Bay, an inlet that meanders down to Bima town on Sumbawa. There are two specific sites in both of these areas that are producing a dazzling array of rare creepy crawlies on a regular basis – “Estuary” on Sangeang and “Fuzzy Bottom” at the entrance to Bima Bay. Both are similar in that they are slightly current swept, as is Lembeh and while not entirely muck, they do share similar bottom compositions – fine to coarse sand. At the conclusion of your cruise you will make your way to Flores Island and Labuhanbajo Airport (LBJ) where you will board a domestic flight which will return you to Bali (DPS). IN WHAT TIME ZONE IS BALI LOCATED? The Indonesian archipelago is spread over three time zones. Bali and Nusa Tenggara, and is 8 hours ahead of GMT. Bali GMT +8 WHAT LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN ON BOARD? There are about 583 languages and dialects spoken in the archipelago. Bahasa Indonesia is the national language. In all tourist destination areas English is the number one foreign language. Our crew will converse in English with the guests. WHAT WEATHER CONDITIONS CAN I EXPECT IN KOMODO The Komodo National Park is a destination that offers great diving year round. The area is much drier than Bali (shown in the table) and lies within one of the driest regions of Indonesia with an annual rainfall of between 800m and 1000m. For 8 months of the year, there is little to no rainfall and almost savanna like conditions. Once the rains do come, everything turns green for a few short months. April , May, October, November, and December are some of the best times for dive travelers to visit Komodo National Park. April and May are very good because it is just after the “wet season” so everything in the Komodo Park is alive and green. The diving on the south and the north sides of the park are blessed with good visibility and hardly any waves. October, November, and December are also very good for the same reasons, except that it is right before the start of the rainy season. During these months the south of the Park is at it's peak and we are able to reach some of the best dive sites of Indonesia such as Cannibal Rock, Yellow Wall, Manta Alley, and W-reef. Although, January and February have the heaviest rainfalls, even then, it hardly ever rains all day and still offers great diving. Water temperatures vary by location in Komodo National Park, rather than seasons. Northern Areas 77 / 84 f 25 / 259 c Middle Areas 75 / 82 f 24 / 28 c Southern Areas 72 / 82 f 22 / 28 c WHAT CURRENCY IS USED? Rupiah (IDR) is the official currency and is divided into 100 sen. Foreign currency can easily be exchanged at banks, hotels and money changers in major tourist destinations; US dollars is the most accepted currency. Cash often yields a better exchange rate than travelers checks, which are not always accepted. It is recommended that travelers checks also be in US dollars. Also, be aware that both banks and money changers can be very picky about the cash notes that they will accept; they often refuse notes that are anything less than near-mint condition and new. Most major credit cards are accepted at hotels, restaurants and stores catering to the tourist trade. ATMs are available in main centers. Small change is often unavailable so keep small denomination notes and coins for items like bus fares, temple donations and cool drinks. It is recommended that you exchange approx. $100.00 USD to the local currency for island tipping and small pocket change. WHAT DOES MY KOMODO DANCER PACKAGE INCLUDE? All staterooms are airconditioned and fitted with private toilets, showers and sinks. Breakfast (cooked to order), buffet lunch and an elegant meal at dinner with table side service are served daily in addition to fresh midmorning and mid-afternoon snacks. Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are complimentary while onboard. Bathrobes and some toiletries are available for your use onboard. The Komodo Dancer is equipped with hairdryers in each stateroom. Linens are changed midweek and fresh towels are placed in each stateroom daily as needed. Guests have the opportunity to dive three or four times a day including a night dive on most days. Filled tanks, weights and weight belts are included. Three ground transfers are also included and vary slightly based on the direction of your itinerary. On our one way voyages (Bali to Komodo or Komodo to Bali) one way flights on a domestic airline with a 99lb (45kg) luggage allowance are included as well. FOR WHAT ADDITIONAL EXPENSES WILL I BE RESPONSIBLE? No international air transportation is included in the Komodo Dancer package. There is a departure tax on passengers for international travel of IDR100,000 (Approx. $10.00USD) payable at the airport. One hotel night in Bali is required prior to boarding Komodo Dancer. One hotel night in Bali is be required upon disembarking Komodo for guests on the Bali-Komodo itinerary. Dive instruction, dive and photo equipment rentals and “Boatique” purchases must be settled onboard prior to departure. Depending on your travel plans, additional ground transfers may be required. Excess baggage charges are applicable on domestic flights for weights over 99lbs (45kg). Acceptable methods of payment include: US Dollars, IDR (Indonesian Rupiah), Traveler’s Checks, or Credit Cards (Visa or MasterCard). NO PERSONAL CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED. No additional meals or beverages on shore are included. Crew gratuities are not included. A BRIEF HISTORY OF INDONESIA The name Indonesia has its roots in two Greek words: "Indos" meaning Indian and "Nesos" which means islands. It is an appropriate description of the archipelago as there are estimated to be a total of 17,508 islands, of which only about 6,000 are inhabited, stretching for 5,150 km between the Australian and Asian continental mainland and dividing the Pacific and Indian Oceans at the Equator. The islands and people of Indonesia constitute the fourth most populated nation in the world. As a democratic republic, Indonesia is divided into 27 provinces and special territories and classified geographically into four groups. Bali is part of the Lesser Sundas, a chain of small islands stretching eastward. A rich history of kingdoms, conquests, colonialism, trade and natural disasters has bequeathed it with an exhilarating kaleidoscope of cultures and traditions, people, languages and religions, aspirations and problems, and the dramatic scenery of changing landscapes. It is the combination of the friendly people, the natural attractions, the great variety of things to see and do, and the year-round pleasant climate that make this such a desirable vacation destination. And then there is Bali's special "magic", which is difficult to explain. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE KOMODO NATIONAL PARK Komodo National Park was established in 1980 and was declared a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1986. The park was initially established to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), first discovered by the scientific world in 1911 by J.K.H. Van Steyn. Since then conservation goals have expanded to protecting its entire biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial. The majority of the people in and around the Park are fishermen originally from Bima (Sumbawa), Manggarai, South Flores, and South Sulawesi. Those from South Sulawesi are from the Suku Bajau or Bugis ethnic groups. The Suku Bajau were originally nomadic and moved from location to location in the region of Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and Maluku, to make their livelihoods. Descendents of the original people of Komodo, the Ata Modo, still live in Komodo, but there are no pure blood people left and their culture and language is slowly being integrated with the recent migrants. Little is known of the early history of the Komodo islanders. They were subjects of the Sultanate of Bima, although the island’s remoteness from Bima meant its affairs were probably little troubled by the Sultanate other than by occasional demand for tribute. TRAVEL INFORMATION HOW DO I GET TO THE KOMODO NATIONAL PARK? All passengers arrive into Bali by air. Bali’s International Airport, Ngurah Rai, (airport code DPS) in Denpasar will be your final destination. Commercial airlines with service to Bali, Indonesia include Cathay Pacific, Continental Airlines, China Air, Singapore Air, Garuda Indonesia , and Thai Airlines among others. Komodo Dancer departs and/or returns to Benoa Harbor near Denpasar. If you are traveling on one of our one way journeys (Bali to Komodo or Komodo to Bali), a one way domestic air flights with 45kg of luggage allowance will need to be purchased no matter which itinerary you are on, we will arrange this for you and include it on your invoice. The price is about $150 dependant on the currency exchange at the time. You will need to arrive in Bali and overnight in a hotel the night before embarkation as boarding and or domestic flights out occur in the morning. A second hotel overnight is recommended at the end of your cruise prior to departing on your international flight home. This is a required overnight on the Bali-Komodo oneway itinerary as domestic flight times back to Bali do vary. WHAT TRAVEL DOCUMENTS WILL I NEED? YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO POSESS A PASSPORT VALID FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF ARRIVAL AND HAVE PROOF OF ONWARD PASSAGE. The Free Visa Facility (length of stay max 30 days) will be issued to citizens of the following countries: Brunei, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macao, Morocco, Chile, and Peru. The Visa-on-Arrival Facility (length of stay max. 30 days) will be issued to citizens of the following countries: Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and the United States. The fee varies between $10USD and $25USD depending on the length of stay. Citizens of countries not stated above are required to apply for a visa at the Indonesian Embassy/Consulate in their country of domicile. |
Komodo Dancer liveaboard● Schedule ● Itinerary ● Excursions ● General info ● Specs ● Prices ● Inquiry ● Alor-Flores liveaboard ● Other boats● |
Komodo Dancer liveaboard information |
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